Damping-machine.



W. SMITH & B. MoH-UGH.

DAMPING MAGHINE.

APPLIUATION FILED D130. 26, 1912.

Patented Jan. 12, 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

(wa /M Inventors Q @119. mp m W. H. SMITH & B. MOHUGH. DAMPING MACHINE.

-APPLIOATION FILED D110. 26, 1912.

PatentedJan. 12, 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

- omw m Inventm's 0 imam W. H. SMITH & B. MOHUGH- DAMPING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED D110. 26, 1912.

4 SHEETSSHEET a.

Patented Jan. 12,

3 r. h 0w m W. H. SMITH & 1 3. MohUGH.

'DAMPING MACHINE.

APPLIOATION FILED DBO. 26, 1912.

Patented Jan. 12, 1915.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

Inventors W ETATEd PA WILLIAM HENRY SMITH, OF NEW ROCHELLE, NEW YORK, AND BERNARD MGHUGH, OF- OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA, ASSIGNORS TO AMERICAN BANK NOTE COMPANY, A

CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

DAMPINGEMACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented its. 12, 1915.

Application filed December 26, 1912. Serial No. 738,55Il.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, WVILLIAM HENRY SMITH and BERNARD McHUen, both subjects of the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and residing, respectively, at New Rochelle, in the county of Vestchester and State of New York, and at Ottawa, in the Province of Ontario, Dominion of Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Damping-Machines, of which thefollowing is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof.

Our invention relates to damping machines, and more particularly to a type of 'IHZICl'IlIIG especially adapted for damping individual sheets of paper for printing pur' poses.

The main object of our invention is to provide a machine of this character wherein sheets of dry paper may be fed into the machine at the receiving end thereof, and delivered from the machine at the delivery end thereof so conditioned as to be adapted for immediate use in the presses.

A further object is to provide a machine of this character wherein the sheets of paper may be thoroughly dampened while rapidly passing through the machine, thus insuring high eiiiciency and a uniform conditioning of the paper.

A still further object is to provide a machine wherein the moisture or damping fluid will be applied to the paper in a manner to cause a thorough impregnation of the paper in a degree to properly condition it while at the same time avoiding excessive moisture in the paper or the destruction of the surface of the paper to an extent which would necessitate a refinishing thereof after the paper had received an imprint.

A still further object is to provide a machine of this character wherein the moisture or damping fluid will be applied to the paper, and wherein the paper after the application of such moisture thereto, will be subjected to the action of atmospheric air for a sutiicientperiod to afford that dwell necessary to properly condition the paper before it is brought into contact with other chine wherein papers of differing qualities,

subjected to the action of the atmosphere in a manner to condition the paper prior to its delivery from the machine.

A still further object is to provide a maehmewherein the paper after leaving the damping means will be subjected to the action of the air for a sufiicient period to properly condition the paper, the conditioning mechanism being so arranged as to afiord a suiiic1ently long dwell, while at the same time permitting a compact machine strucure. A still further object is to provide a dampmg machme operating continuously under substantially uniform conditions, wherein the sheets as dampened may be removed from the machine without shutting down the machine.

A still further object is to provide a damping machine wherein the sheet of which would prevent the paper taking a perfect impression.

A still further object is to provide a machine of this character wherein the dampened sheets may be received and accumulated upon a collecting shelf, which shelf is adjustable relative to the delivery mechanlsm so as to permit each sheet delivered from the machine to be deposited upon the top of the pile of accumulated sheets. And a still further object is to provide a machine of this character which with the exception of the feed of the paper. thereto and the operation .of the collecting shelf, will be automatic throughout, and will be capable of such adjustment as will permit the paper to be brought to the desired condition.

The invention consists in such novel features of construction and combination of parts as are hereinafter set forth and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

Referring to the drawings :-Figure 1 is an elevation of one side of the machine; Fig. 2 is an elevation of the other side of the machine, showing the various driving mecha: nisms, and the supply and drain pipe system; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the machine; and Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view thereof.

Like letters refer to like parts throughout the several views.

In damping paper for printing purposes, it is desirable to have the paper thoroughly impregnated with the damping fluid as a superficial damping will not give the desired qualities to thepaper, particularly as a large number of sheets is required for a run of a press, and considerable time is required in completing the printing thereof, so that the moisture must be retained for a considerable length of time. Furthermore, it is desirable to have the body of the paper thoroughly dampened to increase its absorptive properties and permit that slight displacement thereof incidental to the pressing of the paper into the lines of an undersurface or engraved plate. 4

Heretolore, the general practlce has been to pile alternate sheets of dampened cloth and paper, and allow the p1le to stand for a sufliciently great length of time to properly season the paper. This practice was not only slow and costly as to the labor element, but an equal distribution of the damping fiuid was difiicult, or impossible to secure, and a uniform product was practlcally impossible. Furthermore, it quite frequently happened that when the sheets were delivered to the pressman, it was found that they were not sufficiently moistened, and 1t then became necessary to remoisten the entire lot. The average damping period would be from thirty-six to forty-eight hours in duration, and the delays incidental to the hand method frequently resulted in delays in completing a certain line of work. By

our present invention, we dampen sheets of paper by running them once through our machine, thus accomplishing 1n a fraction of a minute, what heretofore, by the hand method, required about 18 hours.

In actual practice we have found that not only is this saving of time effected, but all sheets of paper after passing through the machine are uniformly dampened throughout the entire area thereof, and that this damping is accomplished without 1n ur1ng the finish of the paper, thus making the refinishing thereof unnecessary after going through the printing presses.

In carrying out our invention, We use a machine embodying therein a plurality of continuous felt strips, 1 and 2, passing about suitable guide rollers, and between suitable presser rollers, means being provided whereby each of said strips is moistened after each sheet is dampened thereby, to avoid any possibility of a change in its condition with a resultant variance in the quality of the work done thereby. The meansabove referred to, for damping these strips, consistof the tanks 3, 4. and 5, the strip 1 being passed through the first of said tanks and the strip 2 being passed between the'other two. Upon the tank 3 are pressure rollers 6, provided with means as the set screw 7, for varying the pressure exerted by these rollers, and associated with this tank are the guide rollers 8 and 9, the last of which is submerged in the fluid Within the tank and has the strip 1 passing about same. Carried by the tanks 4: and 5 are a series of pairs of pressure rollers, 10 to 15 inclusive, each of said pairs being provided with means for varying the pressure exerted thereby as the set screws 16 to 21 inclusive. Said tanks are also provided with rollers 22, 23, 24 and 25, about which the strip 2 passes and is guided through said tanks while submerged in the fluid therein contained. At 26 is indicated the main power wheel, driving the rollers 27 about the lower of which the strip 2 passes and is driven, a suitable guide 28 being provided between this roller and the first pair of pressure rollers 10. By this construction, the strips 1 and 2 converge toward each other and simultaneously pass between the presser rollers 10 at uniform speed; and adjacent to said rollers I provide a feed shelf 29 from which the paper is delivered, one sheet at a time between said rollers and said strips. By utilizing a succession of presser rollers, these strips are forced into the desired in timate contact with the paper, and the moisture is expressed therefrom respectively, in a manner to cause the paper to readily take up same in the desired quantity. The application of a sequence of pressures has the further advantage of continuing this operation intermittently, thus causing the maximum penetration of the moisture into the paper and avoiding a merely superficial Wetting thereof. Furthermore, by using a sequence of pressure rollers, va-

rious quantities or qualities of paper may be dampened and conditioned as required, the pressure exerted by each pair of presser rollers not only being variable, but any of said rollers being readily rendered inoperative, which is sometimes desirable in using papers having high, or fairly high, absorb ent properties. After leaving the pressure rollers 15, the felt strips 1 and 2 pass along divergent courses, one passing downwardly and the other upwardly, the sheets themselves being delivered therefrom to a transfer belt 30 by which they are conveyed away from the damping strips. To prevent the sheets of paper from adhering to either of the strips 1 or 2, we provide means for stripping the paper from said belts as they diverge, thus causing the paper to be delivered perfectly flat upon the belt 30. The belt 30 is driven from the rollers 15 by the belt and pulley drive 31.

In the form of our invention shown, the means for stripping the paper from the absorbent strip comprises the upper strippers 32, bearing upon that portion of the strip 1 upon the upper roller of thepair 15, and the lower strippers 33, bearing upon that portion of the strip 2 passing about the lower roller of the pair 15, which strippers diverge in a manner to permit the strip to pass between same.

To minimize any tendency on the part of the paper to curl upwardly after the strips 1 and 2, we provide the arm 34, normally pressing upon the belt 30 and beneath which the paper must pass whilemoving upon said belt. As a further safeguard, we provide a series of tapes 35 which have movement with and normally bear upon the strip 1, these tapes, however, being extended beyond the presser rollers 15 so as to be out of engagement with the strip 1 after leaving this roller, and thus also aiding in stripping the paper therefrom. To prevent the passage of these tapes through the tank 3, I provide a guide roller 36 arranged adjacent to said tank, this tape passing about said guide roller and through the presser roller 6 with said strip 1.

In actual practice we have found that with most paper highly satisfactory results may be obtained without passing the paper through a bath, while engaged between the strips 1 and 2. With other papers, however, such. as bond, we have found it necessary to apply higher pressures and a much greater quantity of water or damping fluid thereto, and in order to rapidly apply moisture in the desired quantity within the period of time made necessary by a machine of this character, we havefound it necessary to passthe strips 1 and 2 with the paper contained therebetween, through the bath of damping fluid. Hence, to accommodate the machine for use with paper of this character, we provide in the tank 4 guide rollers 37 and 38 about which both the strips 1 and Q and the paper contained between same are adapted to pass. When using these guide rollers 37 and 38, the presser rollers 13 and 14. are not utilized, but by providing both guide rollers and these presser rollers arranged between same, we are enabled to adapt the machine for use in connection with any character of paper.

In connection with the damping strips and damping fluid tanks above referred to, we provide a belt conveyer system, the function of which is to subject the sheets acted upon by the strips 1 and 2, to the action of fore be entered into.

the atmosphere for a sulfioient time to perdelivery from the machine; or in other r words, for conditioning the paper after it has been dampened. v

To make the machine structure compact, we preferably arrange a plurality of parallel conveyer belts 39, 40, 41 and 42, passing about suitable rollers at the opposite ends of the frame, and idler rollers intermediate said ends. Each of said belts 39, 40, 41 and 42 is preferably of fabric such as cotton duck having low absorptive properties, and is entirely independent of any other, and all said belts are driven by the entrained gears 43 through the chain and sprocket mecha nism 44, driven from the main power wheel 26. Any or all of these belts may be used in operating the machine, according to the length of the dwell required to properly condition the paper. To cause each sheet to traverse one or more of these belts, we provide transfer mechanisms between the belt 30 and the belt 39, between the belt 39 and the belt'40, the belt 40 and the belt 41, and the belt 41 and the belt 42; the belt 42 being provided with a delivery mechanism for causing the sheets of paper to be deposited upon the delivery shelf which will be hereinafter described.

The transfer mechanism for conveying the sheets from the belt 30 to the belt 39 comprises a series of parallel tapes 44, a portion of the upper reach of which rests upon the belt 30 and passes about the end roller thereof to and about the roller 45, following the top reach of the belt 39 and forming at the far end of said belt a part of the transfer mechanism of the belt 40, guide rollers being provided below the bottom of the tanks 4 and 5 to control the return of said tapes.

Adjacent to the discharge end of the belt 30 are the triangularly arranged rollers 46, 47 and 48, about which passes a series of tapes 49, the portion of which between the rollers 46 and 48 bears toward the roller about which the belt 30 passes. It will thus be seen that as each sheet is delivered to the belt 30 it rests upon the tapes 44 and is gripped between these tapes and the tapes 49 upon the transfer mechanism for delivering the sheets from the belt 30 to the belt 39. This arrangement is preferably used. as at this point the sheets are still superficially wet, and there is a greater tendency for them to adhere to the belt 30.

Each of the other transfer mechanisms 50, 51 and 52 is similar to the others. and a description of but one of them will there Each of the transfer mechanisms comprises a plurality of triangularly arranged rollers 53, 54 and 55, about ing upon the other side of said axis.

which pass a series of tapes 56, the end rollers 53 and 55 being arranged upon opposite sides of, and at one side of the axis of, the rollers carrying its main'belt, and the roller-forming the apex of the triangle bey this construction, the reach of the tapes 56 between the rollers 53 and 55 are caused to bear toward the conveyer belt as it passes about its rollers, thus causing the paper to follow the belt roller and drop upon the lower belt which is traveling in a direction opposite to the belt next above it. The lowermost belt, or delivery belt 42, is not provided'with such a transfer mechanism, but is provided with a delivery mechanism in lieu thereof which consists of a series of tapes 57 passing about this belt with the ends thereof extended beyond said belt and passing about the roller 58 so that, as each sheet approaches the delivery point of the belt 42, these tapes 57 will lift it from the surface of the belt and carry it forward.

adjacent to the delivery shelf. The frame carrying the rollers 46, 47 and 48 is provided with adjustment means 60 for bringing the tapes 49 into the proper relation with the belt 30.

In order to accommodate the delivery shelf 59 to a pile of sheets of gradually increasing height, we provide means whereby this shelf may be raised or lowered with the accumulation of the sheets thereon, means being provided for imparting a directly vertical movement to this shelf. This means comprises toggle levers 61 and 62, one arm of each of which levers is connected to the other by the link 63, and the other arm of each of which levers is connected to the other by the links 64, and with the shelf 59, a guide 66 being used to cause a directly .vertical movement of this shelf. Adjustable side plates 67 are mounted upon the shelf 59 to true up each sheet as it is delivered to said shelf. Adjustment is secured by an ordinary pin and socket mechanism-68. The collecting shelf is raised and lowered by means of the lever 69 and the pawl and ratchet mechanism 70 for holding it many adjusted position. The pipe system '70 we use for delivering fluid to, or draining fluid from the tanks, 3, 4 and 5. The presser rollers 6 are driven by means of the gearing 71, actuated from the shaft of the main power wheel 26.

In describing the operation of the machine, we will first refer to its operation under conditions where the maximum damping effect is desired, or in connection with bond? or analogous papers. lVhen so used, the absorbent strips 1. and 2, which as heretofore stated are preferably of fairly heavy felt, are threaded through the machine as shown in Fig. 1, of the drawings, and the ends of each belt are united to make it endless. Power is then applied to the machine and the belts 1 and 2 are each passed through the baths in the respective tanks 3, 4 and 5 a number of times or until they are thoroughly saturated with the fluid contained in said tanks. With the actuation of these damping strips, the conveyer belt 30, the conditioning belts 39 to 42 inclusive, and the various transfer mechanisms are all actuated, the lineal traverse of all of these belts and strips being at substantially the same speed. As the strips 1 and 2 are thus driven by the presser rollers 6 and 27 respectively, moisture is expressed therefrom by said rollers to an extent to avoid the presence of excessive superficial moisture and to so condition these strips as to properly dampen the sheets of paper. The strips being thus conditioned, sheets of dry paper are fed thereto from the feed shelf 29 by the operative, in much the same manner as in an ordinary bed and cylinder press, and with a rapidity approximating the feeding of such a press.

Each sheet of paper as it leaves the shelf 29 is inserted between the strip 1 and the tapes 35 traveling therewith, and the strip 2, passing with said strips between the presser rollers 10. Inasmuch as the strips 1 and 2 converge as they pass between these rollers, ample clearance is afforded for this feeding movement. As the paper and strips thus pass between said rollers 10, they are subjected to suliicient pressure to not only bring the strips into intimate contact with every portion of the paper by reason of the lineal pressure exerted along the vertical radii of these rollers, but the moisture contained in these strips is'expressed therefrom toward the paper, thus supplying superficial moisture which is forced directly into the fibers of the paper. Immediately upon leaving these presser rollers 10, that portion'of the moisture which does not penetrate the fibers of the paper will again be absorbed, or partly absorbed, by each strip 1 or 2, and the operation of forcing the moisture into the paper under pressure will, after a slight dwell, be repeated by the presser rollers 11 and 12. Owing to a tendency toward loss of the moisture carried by the strips when used with paper which does not readily absorb this moisture, such as bond papers, both strips with the paper between them, after leaving the rollers 12,

are passed through the bath in the tank 4, wherein there will be a direct application of the moisture to the strips and to the paper contained therebetween. Upon leaving the bath, the strips and said paper will be subj ected to a further pressure between the rollers 14 and 15 in the same manner as with the rollers 10, 11 and 12. As the strips 1 and 2 leave the presser rollers 15, the former passes upwardly about the guide roller 8,

through the tank 1 and between the presser rollers 6, and is re-conditioned before a second sheet is subjected to the action of the same portion thereof. At the same time, the strip 2 passes downwardly about the rollers 22 and 23, through the bath 4, up-- wardly about the guide 36 so that any tendency of the paper to follow thestrip 1 will be avoided or minimized, the strippers 32 also serving to prevent the sheet of paper from adhering to the strip 1 and the strippers preventing the sheet of paper from adhering to the strip 2. The sheet'of paper must also pass under the arms 34 which eliminate any tendency of the paper to follow the tapes 35.

As each sheet passes from between the strips 1 and 2, it will therefore fall upon the conveyer belt 30, by which it will be conveyed away from the rollers 15,, If, by watching the sheets of paper as they pass upon. the conveyer 30, it is found that they do not contain the proper degree of moisture, or that they contain too much moisture, the adjustment screws 7 and .27 may be actuated to decrease or increase the pressure exerted by the rollers 6 and 27 respectively, thus controlling the quantity of fluid expressed from the strips prior to the introduction of the sheet therebetween. In addition to this, the adjustment screws 16, 17 18, 20 and 21 may be-used' to increase or decrease the pressure exerted by the rollers 10, 11, 12, 14 and 15, respectively, or any of them so as to vary the force of the pressure exerted by said rollers upon the sheet of paper passing therebetween, and thus modify the degree of moisture forced into the fibers of the paper. If desired, the various presser rollers between which the strips 1 and 2 and the paper contained therebetween pass, may be so adjusted as to exert a varying degree of pressure to coincide with the changing absorptive properties of the paper by reason of the increase of the quantity of moisture taken up by the fibers-thereof. As the paper is delivered to the belt 30, it also rests upon the tapes 44, and as it approaches the discharge end of this belt it passes between the tapes 44 and the tapes 49, and is conveyed thereby to the top reach of the conveyer belt 39, to which it is delivered by said tapes. As it is so deliveredto the belt 39, it is inverted, and is conveyed along this belt, being exposed to the action of the air from one side and to the surface of the belt upon the other. As it reaches the delivery end of this belt 39, it passes between the tapes 56 of the transfer mechanism 50 which are driven from the belt 39, and is again inverted or reversed by this transfer mechanism to the belt 40, this operation being repeated by the aid of the transfer mechanisms 51 and 52, until the sheet has passed over each of the belts 39 to 42 inclusive, said sheet being inverted with each transfer thereof from one belt to another. This manner of conveying the sheet of paper from the. damping strips to the delivery belt affords a dwell sufiicient to permit the moisture to thoroughly and uniformly penetrate the fibers of the paper, and at the same time permits any excess superficial moisure to evaporate. This conditioning of the paper is important as it brings the paper to a condition where it may be readily piled without the contacting sheets readily adhering to one another, and also permits the proper degree of damping without injury to the finish of the paper, while at the same time securing uniform conditions throughout every portion of the sheet. f

lVhen upon the belt 42, the tapes 57 are interposed between the belt and the sheet of paper so that as the paper approaches the discharge end of this belt it is raised from the belt by reason of the said tapes extending beyond the rear of the discharge end of this belt. As each sheet thus passes from the belt 42, it is discharged directly upon the shelf 59, and is trued up by the side plates (37 of said shelf.

- As heretofore stated, the tapes 49 form a part of the transfer mechanism from the belts 39 to 40, this being desirable to minimize any tendency on the part of the'paper to follow these tapes upon leaving this belt.

The stripsgl and 2 being endless, the operation of the machine is continuous and sheets of paper may be successively fed thereto as rapidly as the speed of traverse of these belts will permit. When so feeding, it will be observed that although the sheets may be fairly close together upon these belts, the same portion of the belt is not used upon succeeding sheets of paper unless it has been redampened, thus insuring uniformity in the conditioning of all sheets of paper passed through the machine.

Owing to the rapidity with which the machine operates, the sheets upon the delivery shelf rapidly accumulate, and to permit the piling of these sheets in the quantities desired, the shelf is lowered from time to time by means of the handle 69 and'the lever system connecting said handle with said shelf. g

The pipe system 7 0 is used as a mere matter of convenience in filling and draining the tanks 3, 4 and 5; and the driving mechanism 71 by which the presser rollers 6 and the presser rollers 27 are simultaneously driven at the same speed from the same source of power, insures a uniform speed of traverse of the strips 1 and 2.

With some grades of paper it is unnecessary to renew. the moisture in the strips 1 and 2 while the sheet is therebetween, and with such paper, instead of passing the strips 1 and 2 about the guide rollers 37 andv 88, these strips are fed through the presser rollers 13, the strips and the tapes 35 being shortened to compensate for the slack which would otherwise be formed by reason of the diflerence in the length of the course over which these strips pass when subjected to the bath 1. With papers having higher absorptive properties, it is also desirable to lessen the pressure exerted by some or all of the presser rollers 10 to 15 inclusive, and under some conditions, some of these rollers are rendered entirely inoperative.

Throughout the specification we have used the term strip to designate the absorbent damping bands or belts, and the word belts to designate the various conveying mechanisms aside from these damping means, this different terminology being used in order to more readily distinguish these different belt mechanisms, although in fact the strips 1 and 2 are merely felt belts of a width sufiicient to accommodate-any size paper which it may be desired to dampen. The term tapes is used to indicate narrow ribbon-like strands.

In a machine such as We have described, not only do we secure the. beneficial results of a rapid conditioning of the paper, and a uniform condition of all sheets passed through the machine, but large sheets may be as readily handled as small sheets, with substantially the same results.

When using hand methods, large sheets are more difficult to dampen than the small sheets, but no such difference can exist in a machine of the type we have herein described.

It is not our intention to limit the invention to the precise details of construction shown in the accompanying drawings, it being apparent that such may be varied without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to have protected by Letters Patent, is

1. A paper damping machine embodying therein a plurality of endless damping strips, means driving said strips, a plurality of pairs of presser rollers between which said strips, superimposed one upon the other, pass, means whereby paper may be fed between said strips before they pass to said presser rollers, a collecting mechanism for the paper after it leaves said strips, and means whereby damping fluid is applied to each of said strips before it is passed between said'presser rollers.

2. A paper damping machine embodying therein oppositely disposed endless damping strips, means driving same, a plurality of pairs of oppositely disposed presser rollers between which said strips respectively and successively pass adapted to exert pressure upon said strips while the paper is therebetween, a plurality of tanks adapted to contain damping fluid, through which said strips respectively are adapted to be passed before being passed between said presser rollers, a collecting mechamsm for the sheets after leaving said strips, and a conveyer mechanism disposed between the delivery end of said strips and said collecting mechanism, whereby a dwell is afforded before the final collection of the dampened paper. I

3. A paper damping machine embodying therein oppositely disposed endless damping strips, means driving said strips, a plurality of pairs of oppositely disposed, presser rollers between which said strips successively pass, said strips being adapted to have paper fed between same prior to passing through the first pair of said presser rollers, a tank adapted to contain damping fluid disposed between succeeding pairs of presser rollers, whereby said strips with the paper therebetween will be passedthrough a damping bath, and means whereby the moisture in each said strip is renewed after acting on the paper.

4. A paper damping machine embodying therein oppositely disposed continuously driven damping strips, means driving said strips, a plurality of pairs of oppositely disposed, presser rollers between which said strips successively pass, said strips being adapted to have paper fed between same prior to passing between said presser rollers, a conveyer mechanism, continuously driven at approximately the same speed as said strips, adapted to have said paper, after leaving said strips, deposited thereon, whereby a dwell is afforded before delivering the dampened paper and means whereby damping fluid is applied to each of said damping strips before the paper is fed therebetween.

5. A paper damping machine embodying therein oppositely disposed endless damping strips adapted to receive paper therebetween, a sequence of pairs of presser rollers between which said strips pass, whereby successive pressures are exerted upon said strips and the paper therein contained, and no pressure is exerted thereon intermediate said rollers, a plurality of tanks adapted to contain damping fluid and arranged intermediate the first, and the last pair of the sequence of presser rollers, means whereby ther re turn reach of said stripsrespectively will be guided through said tanks respectively, means intermediate succeeding pairs of presser rollers in said sequence whereby both of said strips will be simultaneously passed through the damping fluid in one of said tanks while the paper is therebetween, and

means delivering the paper from said strips immediately after the application of the last pressure thereto.

6. A paper damping machine embodying therein oppositely disposed endless damping strips adapted to receive paper therebetween, a sequence of pairs of presser rollers between which said strips pass, whereby successive pressures are exerted upon said strips and the paper therein contained, and no pressure is exerted thereon intermediate said rollers, a plurality of tanks adapted to contain damping fluid and arranged intermediate the first, andthe last pair of the sequence of presser rollers, means whereby the return reach of said strips respectively will he guided through said tanks respectively, means intermediate succeeding pairs of presser rollers in said. sequence whereby ,both of said strips will be simultaneously passed through the damping fluid in one of said tanks while the paper is therebetween, means delivering the paper from said strips immediately after the application of the last pressure thereto, and means acting on each pair of presser rollers whereby the pressure exerted thereby may be regulated.

7. A paper damping machine embodying therein oppositely disposed endless damping strips adapted to receive paper therebetween, a sequence of pairs of presser rollers between which said strips pass, whereby successive pressures are exerted upon said strips and the paper therein contained, and no pressure is exerted thereon intermediate said rollers, a plurality of tanks adapted to contain damping fluid and arranged intermediate the first, and the last pair of the sequence of presser rollers, means whereby the return reach of, said strips respectively will be guided through said tanks respectively, means intermediate "succeeding pairs of presser rollers in said sequence whereby both of said strips will be simultaneously passed through the damping fluid in one of said tanks while the paper is therebetween, and

a conveyer mechanism adapted to have said paper, after receiving the last pressure, de-

osited thereon, whereby a dwell is. afforded before delivery of the dampened paper.

8. A paper damping machine embodying therein oppositely disposed endless damping strips adapted to receive paper therebetween, a sequence of pairs of presser rollers between which said strips pass, whereby successive pressures are exerted upon said strips and the paper therein contained, and

said tanks while the paper is therebetween,

a conveyer mechanism adapted to have said paper, after receiving the last pressure, deposited thereon, whereby a dwell is afforded before delivery of the dampened paper, and means acting on each pair of presser rollers whereby the pressure exerted thereby may be regulated.

9. A paper damping machine embodying therein a plurality of tanks occupying different levels and adapted to contain damping fluid, a plurality of oppositely disposed endless strips, means guiding said strips through said tanks, a sequence of pairs of presser rollers between which said strips are adapted to pass, one superimposed upon the other, said strips being adapted to have paper fed therebetween prior to passing through said rollers, and means arranged intermediate succeeding pairs of presser rollers whereby said strips with the paper contained therebetween' are passed through a bath of damping fluid, whereby each of said strips has damping fluid applied thereto after acting on the paper;

10. A paper damping machine embodying therein a plurality of tanks occupying different levels and adapted to contain damping fluid, a plurality of oppositely disposed endless strips, means guiding said strips through said tanks, means adjacent each said tank whereby excessive moisture is removed from said strips, and presser rollers between which saidstrips are adapted to pass, one superimposed upon the other, said strips being adapted to have paper fed therebetween prior to passing through said rollers, whereby each of said strips has the .moisture renewed therein after acting on the paper. 7

11. A paper damping machine embodying therein oppositely disposed endless damping strips, a plurality of pairs of presser rollers between which said strips pass, guides whereby said strips converge adjacent to the first pair of said rollers and diverge adjacent to the last pair, a conveyer belt adjacent to said last pair of rollers, and a transfer mechanism adapted to strip paper from said strips and cause its delivery to said conveyer belt.

12. A paper damping machine embodying therein oppositely disposed endless damping strips, a plurality of pairs of presser rollers between which said strips pass, guides whereby said strips converge adjacent to the first pair of said rollers and diverge adjacent to the last pair, a conveyer belt adjacent to said last pair of rollers, and a transfer mechanism adapted to strip paper from said strips and cause its delivery to said conveyor belt, comprising endless tapes traveling with one of said strips, and a guide for said tapes spaced away from said last named presser rollers.

1.3. A paper damping machine embodying therein oppositely disposed endless damping strips, a plurality of pairs of presser rollers between which said strips pass, guides whereby said strips converge adjacent to the first pair of said rollers and diverge adjacent to the last pair, a conveyer belt adjacent to said last pair of rollers, and a transfer mechanism adapted to strip paper from said strips and cause its delivery to said conveyer belt, comprising endless tapes traveling with one of said strips, a guide for said tapes spaced away from said last named presser rollers, and strippers bearing upon said strips respectively adjacent said belt.

14. A paper damping machine embodying therein oppositely disposed endless damping strips, a plurality of pairs of presser rollers between which said strips pass, guides whereby said strips converge adjacent to the first pair of said rollers and diverge adjacent to the last pair, a conveyer belt adjacent to said last pair of rollers, and a transfer mechanism adapted to strip paper from said strips and cause its delivery to said conveyer belt, comprising endless tapes traveling with one of said strips, a guide for said tapes spaced away from said last named presser rollers, and an arm projecting over said belt forwardly of said guide.

A paper damping machine embodying therein oppositely disposed endless damping strips, a plurality of pairs of presser rollers between which said strips pass, guides Whereby'said strips converge adjacent to the first pair of said rollers and diverge adjacent to the last pair, a conveyer belt adjacent to said last pair of rollers, and a transfer mechanism adapted to strip paper from said strips and cause its delivery to said conveyer belt, comprising endless tapes traveling with one of said strips, a guide for said tapes spaced away from said last named presserrollers, strippers bearing .upon said strips respectively adjacent said belt, and an arm pro ecting over said belt forwardly of said guide.

16. A paper damping machine embodying therein oppositely disposed endless damping strips, a plurality of pairs of presser rollers between which said strips pass, guides whereby said strips converge adjacent to the first pair of said rollers and diverge adjacent to the last pair, a conveyer belt adjacent to said last pair of rollers, a transfer mechanism adapted to strip paper from said strips and cause its delivery to said conveyer belt, a second conveyer belt adjacent said first named belt. and means transferring the paper from said first named belt to said last named belt.

17 A paper damping machine embodying therein oppositely disposed endless damping strips, a plurality of pairs of presser rollers between which said strips pass, guides whereby said strips converge adjacent to the first pair of said rollers and diverge adjacent to the last pair, a conveyer belt adjacent to said last pair of rollers, a transfer mechanism adapted to strip paper from said strips and cause its delivery to said conveyer belt, a second conveyer belt adjacent to said first named belt, and means transferring the paper from said first named belt to said last named belt, comprising three triangularly arranged guides, divergently arranged about the axis of one roller of said.

first named belt, a series of tapes about said guides and bearing upon said belt, a series of tapes following the top reach of said belts respectively, a guide therefor adjacent said last named belt, and return guides therefor.

18. A paper damping machine embodying therein a plurality of tanks adapted to contain damping fluid and occupying different levels, a plurality of oppositely disposed endless damping strips, guides whereby one reach of each of said strips is adapted to pass through a tank, a plurality of pairs of presser rollers through which both of said strips pass, one superimposed upon the other, said strips being adapted to have paper fed therebetween before passing through said rollers, guides intermediate two pairs.

of said presser rollers whereby said strips and the paper contained therebetween are passed through one of said tanks, and a conveyer mechanism arranged beyond said presser rollers and adapted to have the paper laid thereon after leaving said strips and convey it therefrom, whereby a dwell is afforded after said paper leaves said strips and before its delivery from the 'machine.

19. A paper damping machine embodying therein a plurality of tanks adapted to contain damping fluid and occupying different levels, a plurality of oppositely disposed endless damping strips, guides whereby one reach of each of said strips is adapted to pass through a tank, a plurality of pairs of presser rollers through which both of said strips pass, one superimposed upon the other, said strips being adapted to have pa;- per fed therebetween before passing through said rollers, guides intermediate two pairs of said presser rollers whereby said strips and the paper contained therebetween are passed through 0118,01: said tanks, and a conveyer mechanism arranged beyond said presser rollers and adapted to have the paper laid thereon after leaving said strips and to convey it therefrom, whereby a dwell is afforded after said paper leaves saidstrips and before its delivery from the machine, comprising a plurality of independent conveyer belts, and transfer mechanisms whereby the paper is moved from one belt to the other.

20. A paper damping machine embodying therein means applying damping fluid to a sheet of paper, a conveyer mechanism comprising a plurality of independent absorbent belts adapted to have the paper laid thereon after -leaving said damping means and to convey it. therefrom whereby a dwell is afforded before delivering the dampened paper from the machine, a plurality of transfer devices for delivering the paper from one belt to another and turning the paper, whereby both sides thereof are sub jected to the atmosphere and to the absorbent surface .of the belts.

21. A paper damping machine embodying therein a feed shelf, a plurality of endless absorbent strips, a plurality of pairs of presser rollers, one of which is adjacent said feed shelf, guides whereby said strips converge toward and simultaneously pass between said last named rollers, a plurality of tanks through which said belts pass before reaching said last named rollers, a delivery shelf, and a conveyer system between said strips and said delivery shelf, whereby paer is conveyed from said strips to said deivery shelf, and a dwell is afi'orded after leaving said strips.

verge toward andsimultaneously pass between said last named rollers, a plurality of tanks through which said belts pass before reaching said last named'rollers, a delivery shelf, a conveyer system between said strips and said delivery shelf, whereby paper is conveyed from said strips to said delivery shelf, and a dwell is afforded after leaving said strips, and means whereby said delivery shelf may be raised or lowered to permit the automatic piling of sheets of paper. thereon.

23. A paper damping machine embodying therein a feed shelf, a plurality of endless absorbent strips, a plurality of pairs of presser rollers, one of which is adjacent said feed shelf, guides whereby said strips converge toward and simultaneously pass between said last named rollers, a plurality of tanks through which said belts pass before reaching said last named rollers, a delivery shelf having laterally adjustable side plates thereon, a conveyer system between said strips and said delivery shelf, whereby paer is conveyed from said strips to said devery shelf, and a dwell is afforded after leaving said strips.

In witness whereof, we have hereunto alfixed our signatures, each in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM HENRY SEHTH. BERNARD MCHUGH. 

